Bill S.55
187th (2011 - 2012)

An Act relative to the Safe Harbor for Exploited Children Act

Bill Title: An Act relative to the Safe Harbor for Exploited Children Act

By Mr. McGee, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 55) of Thomas M. McGee, Kenneth J. Donnelly, Sal N. DiDomenico, John D. Keenan and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to the Safe Harbor for Exploited Children Act. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

SECTION 1: Chapter 119 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 39J the following section:

Section 39K. Definitions, as used in sections 39L through 39M:

(a) The term “sexually exploited child” means any person under the age of 18 who has been subject to sexual exploitation because he or she:

(1) is the victim of the crime of sex trafficking as defined in 22 United States Code 7105

(2) engages in any act as defined in chapter 272 section 53A of the General Laws

(3) is a victim of the crime, whether or not prosecuted, of inducing a minor into prostitution as defined by chapter 272 section 4A of the General Laws

(4) engages in acts or conduct described in chapter 272 section 53(a) of the General Laws.

(b) The term “appropriate services” means the assessment, planning and care provided by a state agency or non-governmental organization or entity, provided however that such agency, organization or entity has expertise in providing services to sexually exploited children in accordance with such regulations that the department of children and families may promulgate or policies of said department. These services may be provided through congregate care facilities, whether publicly or privately funded, emergency residential assessment services, family based foster care or in the community. These services shall include food, clothing, medical care, counseling and appropriate crisis intervention services.

(c) The term “advocate” means an employee of the service providers referred to in section (b) of this section or similar employee of the department of children and families who has been trained to work and advocate for the needs of sexually exploited children.

SECTION 2: Chapter 119 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 39K the following section:

Section 39L. In any delinquency or criminal proceeding against a sexually exploited child alleging that the defendant violated section 53(a) or 53A(a) of chapter 272, there shall be a presumption that the matter should be handled instead as a proceeding under section 24 or 39E of chapter 119. Upon the motion of the defendant, or as raised sua sponte by the Court, the Court shall hold a hearing at which the prosecuting district attorney’s office, the defendant, and other agencies or persons with relevant information may be heard to determine whether the matter shall proceed as a delinquency or criminal proceeding, or whether the delinquency or criminal proceeding should be dismissed and in its stead the Court should institute a child in need of services or care and protection petition. The information that the Court should consider in determining whether the presumption is rebutted should include, but not be limited to: whether child has been previously found to have committed an offense pursuant to section 53A(a) of chapter 272 or, has been previously convicted or adjudicated delinquent under section 53A(a) of chapter 272 and committed to the department of youth services; or, has previously engaged in conduct that, if proved, would constitute a violation of section 53A of chapter 272; or, has previously refused or been unable to cooperate with services offered under section 51B of chapter 119; and, the Court should consider the child’s need for services that may be provided by department of children and families or any non-governmental organization that provides services to such children, and the protection of society from the conduct that forms the basis for the proceeding. Whether to continue with the delinquency or criminal proceeding, or to dismiss said proceeding and proceed with a child in need of services or care and protection proceeding shall be within the court's discretion. The necessary findings of fact to support the decision shall be reduced to writing and made part of the court record. If, during the pendency of a child in need of services or care and protection proceeding initiated under this section, the child is not in substantial compliance with a lawful order of the court, or fails to comply with the guidance and services of the department or any designated non-governmental service provider, the court may, in its discretion, vacate the dismissal of the delinquency or criminal proceeding and restore that proceeding to the docket for trial or further proceedings in accordance with the regular course of such proceedings.

SECTION 3: Chapter 119 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 39L the following section:

Section 39M. Services for exploited children

(a) Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law, the department of children and families shall promulgate regulations and shall provide for the child welfare services needs of sexually exploited children and to the extent that funds are available ensure appropriate services to serve sexually exploited children are available to children residing in the state at the time they are taken into custody by law enforcement, or are identified by the department of children and families as a sexually exploited child, and for the duration of any legal proceeding or proceeding in which they are either the complaining witness, defendant, or the subject child. Further, a sexually exploited child shall have access to an advocate as defined in section 39K (c). The advocate or a member of the multi-disciplinary service team as referenced in section 51D of chapter 119 shall accompany the child to all court appearances and will serve as a liaison between the service providers and the court.

(b) All of the services created under this article may, to the extent possible provided by law, be available to all sexually exploited children whether they are accessed voluntarily, through a court proceeding under this chapter, or through a referral.

(c) In determining the need for and capacity of the services created under this section, the department of children and families shall recognize that sexually exploited youth have separate and distinct service needs according to gender and, where the department of children and families determines that the need exists, to the extent that funds are available, appropriate services shall be made available, while ensuring that an appropriate continuum of services exists.

(d) The commissioner of the department of children and families may, to the extent that funds are available, in conjunction with local law enforcement officials, contract with appropriate non-governmental organizations or entities with experience working with sexually exploited children to train law enforcement officials who are likely to encounter sexually exploited children in the course of their law enforcement duties on the provisions of this section and how to identify and obtain appropriate services for sexually exploited children. The department of children and families shall assist in obtaining any available funds for the purposes of conducting law enforcement training from the federal justice department and/or the office of juvenile justice and delinquency prevention.

SECTION 4. Chapter 119 section 51A(a), as so appearing, is hereby amended by removing the word “or” following the words: neglect, including malnutrition; and by inserting the words “: or (iv) being a ‘sexually exploited child’ as defined in section 39K(a) of this chapter” after the following words: physical dependence upon an addictive drug upon birth.

SECTION 5. Chapter 119 section 21, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting the words “; or (e) violates the provisions of chapter 272 sections 53A(a); 4A; 53(a) of The General Laws” after the following words: willfully fails to attend school for more than 8 school days in a quarter.

SECTION 6. Chapter 119 section 51B (k) (3), as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting the words “; or appears to be a ‘sexually exploited child’ as defined in section 39K(a) of this chapter” after the words “chapter 272;”

SECTION 7. Chapter 119 section 51B (a), as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting the words “provided, however, that a report that a child who appears to be a ‘sexually exploited child’ as defined in section 39K(a) of this chapter shall be investigated without regard to whether the child is living with a parent or guardian or other caretaker or not” after the words “home environment”

SECTION 8. Chapter 119 section 51B (g), as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting the words “provided, however, that a child who appears to be a ‘sexually exploited child’ as defined in section 39K(a) of this chapter shall be offered appropriate services to safeguard his or her welfare” after the following words: “whenever possible.”

SECTION 9. Chapter 119 section 51B (g), as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting the words “If the child who appears to be a ‘sexually exploited child’ as defined in section 39K(a) of this chapter shall decline the services, or is unable or unwilling to participate in the services offered, then the department or any person may file a care and protection petition under section 24 or a child in need of services petition.” after the following words: “section 24.”

SECTION 10. Section 51D of Chapter 119 as so appearing is hereby amended by inserting after the third paragraph the following paragraph:

For 51A reports specifically involving a sexually exploited child as defined in Section 39K (a), the multi-disciplinary service team shall consist of a team of professionals trained or otherwise experienced and qualified to assess the needs of sexually exploited children. The team shall consist of at least the following: a police officer or designee of the Police Department, a representative from the department of children and families, a representative of the appropriate district attorney’s office and a social service provider. The team shall also include a medical professional and mental health professional when necessary.

Section 11. Section 51D of Chapter 119 as so appearing is hereby amended by inserting after the fifth paragraph the following paragraph:

the purpose of the multi-disciplinary service team shall be to determine whether the child has been sexually exploited and to recommend a plan for services to include shelter or placement, mental health and medical care needs, and other social services.

Actions for Bill S.55

Date

Branch

Action

1/21/2011

Senate

Bill Filed.

1/24/2011

Senate

Referred to Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

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